Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley interview Dr. Satinder Singh, Medical Director at Lehigh Valley Health Network, Jefferson Health. They discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, from reducing administrative tasks to improving the doctor–patient relationship. Dr. Singh also shares insights on AI reliability and the importance of strong clinical foundations when...

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley interview Kyle Stephens, Senior Director at General Dynamics IT (GDIT), about how artificial intelligence is reshaping work in mission‑critical and national security environments. Kyle discusses how he uses AI to accelerate analysis and improve decision‑making, as well as the implications for workforce upskilling. The conversation also explores why...

In this episode of the Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast, Barry Render speaks with Ron Piccolo, CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, about why semiconductors have become a critical issue for U.S. competitiveness. Their conversation explores advanced semiconductor packaging, supply‑chain risk, and the role universities, industry, and government can play in reshoring key capabilities. Ron also sha...

In this episode of the OM Podcast, Barry Render and Misty Blessley speak with David Aschenbrand of Newmark about the evolving role of cold storage and temperature‑controlled facilities in today’s supply chains. The conversation explores facility design, labor challenges, automation and AI, and what the Cold Chain Index reveals about the future of operations management.

In this episode, Barry Render interviews continuous improvement expert and author John Dyer to explore what real operational excellence looks like. John shares insights from 40+ years in manufacturing and consulting, discussing why continuous improvement efforts often stall, how leaders can transition from managers to coaches, and how AI will reshape team‑based problem solving. For a transcript of...

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley interview Harry Ziff, VP of Corporate Logistics at East Penn Manufacturing, one of the world’s largest lead battery producers. Harry shares insights from his 37‑year supply chain career, discusses East Penn’s broad range of battery applications, and explains how the company’s deep vertical integration and closed‑loop recycling system create efficien...

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley talk with Donna Schweibenz, former Senior Director of Purchasing at Temple University, who brings more than 26 years of experience in higher‑education procurement. Donna shares what it takes to manage a centralized purchasing operation responsible for everything from scientific equipment and IT to construction projects and even medical cadavers. She...

Barry Render and Misty Blessley talk with Dr. Anna Johnson, VP of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at U.S. Cold Storage, about the critical role of temperature-controlled logistics in the food supply chain. From sustainability initiatives to AI, robotics, and digital twins, this episode explores how technology and innovation are reshaping cold storage operations and creating new opportunities for...

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessly sit down with Mike Rich, Vice President of Supply Chain at American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S. Mike shares insights from his career journey—from inventory management at Home Depot to strategic sourcing at APS—and dives into the challenges and opportunities of leading supply chain operations in a critical uti...

Barry Render interviews Canadian entrepreneurs Katie Wookey and Ari Davis, co-founders of Simpla Foods, a plant-based yogurt company. They discuss co-packing, supplier relationships, sustainable packaging, and their growth strategy across Canada and into the U.S.

In this podcast Barry Render and co-host Misty Blessly interview Jennifer Taylor, Director of Contracts at Universal Health Services. Jennifer shares her journey from the Philadelphia Housing Authority to UHS, offering insights into healthcare procurement, tariff challenges, and how her team manages product allocations. She also discusses UHS’s innovative internship program and its role in buildin...

In our latest episode, Barry Render sits down with David Rosenthal, a recent MBA graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming business education and early career experiences. David shares insights into AI in the classroom, AI as a central part of his internship, and his entrepreneurial journey using AI to build Fantasy Fusion Sports.

Barry Render interviews Dr. Subodha Kumar of Temple University on how AI is transforming operations—from sustainability and compliance to cybersecurity and blockchain. Subodha shares insights on greenwashing, supply chain visibility, and advice for students entering an AI-driven workforce.

In our August podcast, Barry Render interviews Dr. Tyson Browning, Professor of Operations at Texas Christian University and former co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Operations Management. Barry and Tyson discuss Tyson’s editorial experience, the evolving role of AI in research, and the future direction of the operations management field.

In our July podcast, Barry Render interviews Darrell Edwards, professor of supply chain at University of Tennessee Knoxville, with decades of industry experience including at La-Z-Boy, a leading provider of home furniture.  In this podcast Barry and Darrell discuss vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

We're excited about our June podcast, wherein Barry Render interviews Bob O’Donnell, Vice President of Business Development of Life Sciences at East Coast Warehouse, who has extensive experience with life sciences supply chains.  Barry and Bob discuss Bob's experience and how life sciences supply chains operate. A transcript can be downloaded here: https://operationsmanagementblog.com/wp-content/u...

In our latest podcast, Barry Render interviews Chris Calabretta, founder of Silk Road Supply Chain Advisors, which specializes in transforming supply chain operations and procurement and purchasing functions. In this podcast Barry and Chris will be discussing how global supply chains have been totally refocused since Covid, especially in the area of biologics.

In our latest podcast Barry Render interviews Bob O'Donnell, Vice President of Business Development of Life Sciences at East Coast Warehouse, who previously spent 13 years with Maersk.  Barry and Bob discuss tariffs and their potential impacts.   You can find a transcript of this podcast here: https://operationsmanagementblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HRM-Podcast-Tariffs-Transcript.docx

In our latest episode Barry interviews Mark Gershon, a retired professor from Temple University and former chair of the Management Science and Operations Management Department. Barry and Mark discuss the value of consulting in Operations Management with several real world examples.

In today's podcast Barry Render interviews George Zsidisin, the John W. Barringer III Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Missouri - Saint Louis as well as author of several books on Supply Chain Risk.  In this episode Barry and George will be speaking about supply chain risk.

In our latest podcast, Barry Render interviews Charlie Render, President of Render Analytics, which helps businesses of all kinds implement AI.  In this episode, Barry and Charlie discuss the impact of AI on the environment and on jobs.

In our latest podcast, Barry Render interviews Anne-Marie Salamone, Senior Consultant at MCA Connect, which focuses on helping manufacturing organizations modernize.  Anne-Marie and Barry discuss enterprise resource planning (ERP). A transcript is available within the latest blog post: https://heizerrenderom.wpcomstaging.com/category/podcast/

We're back with the first podcast of 2025.  In this podcast, Barry Render interviews Alex Klein, Senior Manager of Supply Chain Solutions for APL Logistics, a third-party logistics provider.  Alex and Barry discuss the art and science of developing supply chain strategies for shippers with three fascinating, wide-ranging real world examples from Alex's career. A transcript is available here: https...

OM Podcast #28: (11/25/24) Thanksgiving in the Cold Food Supply Chain by Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast

In today's podcast Barry Render interviews Paul Delp, President of Lansdale Warehouses located in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Paul and Barry discuss the role of warehouses in the supply chain and spend time digging in on what it means to be a 3PL and offer "white glove service" to customers.